Charleston WV vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 76.6% | 36.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $60,698 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $37,669 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 8.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 22.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 34.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $233,814 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 52.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 57.1°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 48.5 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 34.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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